Promoting Cultural Awareness: A Means of Managing Global Diversity

Abstract

Global diversity management has resulting in the growth in national and international laws fashioned as a means to address discrimination and the rise in high-profile cases against many international firms. These occurrences are indicative of an inability to understand different cultures, which is a must when doing business abroad in different cultural environments. Research evidence suggests that cultural misunderstandings can result in hostility and suspicion. This can affect an organisation’s reputation, sustainability and quest for success, thus arguing a need to be culturally aware. This chapter draws on findings of a study that explored cultural meanings of respect and how these meanings manifest among culturally diverse business students in the classroom. The aim is to provide insight into the cultural awareness practices addressing team conflict that are used to manage diversity among national and international learners.